Morning Digest | Exit polls predict BJP win in Gujarat, close contest in Himachal; India to host conclave of top security officials of Central Asian countries, and more

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BJP to retain power in Gujarat and Himachal; in for a major jolt in Delhi: exit poll projections

Exit polls have predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to retain power in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, but may suffer a big jolt from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the civic elections in Delhi. The vote counting will be done on December 8.

Modest turnout of 59.11% registered in the second phase of Gujarat Assembly elections

Modest turnout marked Gujarat’s second phase of voting in which 59.11 % average turnout was registered at 93 Assembly seats across the regions of north and central Gujarat on Monday. 

An average 59.11% turnout was registered till 5 p.m. but this is likely to change after the final voting figures are updated from all polling booths across 14 districts of the State. In the first phase, an average 63.3% turnout was registered from 89 seats in Saurashtra and south Gujarat districts. The provisional figure released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the second phase at 5 p.m. is expected to rise further as collecting data from some polling stations takes time and the number does not include postal ballots.

G-20 presidency an opportunity to showcase “Indianness and culture”: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India’s presidency of the G-20 was a “matter of pride for all” and an occasion to establish globally Indianness and its culture.